Events & Classes
Creating the Fertile Field: Exploring Creative Process at the Group Level
Sophia Center, Holy Names University
In this experiential course, we will use creative process to explore the concepts of imagination and “third space” at the group level. Through individual creative expression and intuitive ways of knowing, we will explore the “imaginal world” of the group itself. Although our arena in this case will be our group, every relationship in one’s life also has an “imagination” or “soul” associated with it. Thus, although this course may be most helpful for those of you who lead groups, teach, coach, or mentor (or who wish to move into this sort of work), since we all live and work in relationship, the results of our group exploration will apply broadly.
Our inquiry will foster connections for both the individual and the group as a whole. Each participant will connect with and develop his or her own voice, personal vision, and unique leadership style. This course will be purely experiential, and it will involve a myriad of expressive forms such as collage, writing, various visual art modalities, and community celebration.
Mondays 1-4:30 pm, March 13 - May 10, 2012
Call Sophia Center to register (510) 436-1046
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Getting Messy Book Event
Bloomsbury Books, Ashland Oregon
Engaging deeply in life is a messy process and this is particularly true for people who teach. Messy means we're human, we make mistakes, and often when we're trying something for the first time, we have no idea how it's going to turn out. For those who work in any sort of leadership capacity with other people, our best work comes from a willingness to step into the unknown, listening for "what's next." In this interactive discussion, Kim Hermanson, Ph.D. shares from her book, Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination for Teachers, Trainers, Coaches and Mentors. Please join us.
May 10, 2012 7:00 pm
Call Bloomsbury Books at (541) 488-0029 for more info.
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Getting Messy Book Event
East West Bookstore, Mountain View, CA
In this interactive discussion, Kim Hermanson, Ph.D. shares from her book, Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination for Teachers, Trainers, Coaches and Mentors. Engaging deeply in life is a messy process and this is particularly true for people who teach. Messy means we're human, we make mistakes, and often when we're trying something for the first time, we have no idea how it's going to turn out. For those who work in any sort of leadership capacity with other people, our best work comes from a willingness to step into the unknown, listening for "what's next." Please join us.
June 1, 2012 7:30 pm
Call East West at 650-988-9800 for more info.
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The Purpose and Power of Image
Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, California
Depth psychology has always maintained a close relationship with Image—the literal images which visit in our sleep, the fantasy images we flirt with while awake, the autonomous images that appear “out of nowhere,” the metaphorical images we have of ourselves and others—the psyche is always creating images. In turn, those images give shape to our psyche, an idea which archetypal psychologist James Hillman explores in his work. Hillman proposes that “at the soul’s core we are images,” and that life can be defined as “the actualization over time” of the images in our hearts and souls. Hillman goes even further by suggesting that our unique images are the essence of our life, and “calls [us] to a destiny.” Students will study the writings of James Hillman and others on the purpose and power of Image in psychological and creative life, and meditate upon the core images meaningful to their lives and work.
Call Pacifica at (805) 969-3626, ext. 305
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Psychology of Metaphor
In this course, we explore metaphor as a tool for personal learning and social change. We will understand how metaphors form the foundation of our thinking in everyday life, influencing our learning and growth. Our first task is to become conscious of how we use metaphor, exploring the ways in which metaphorical thinking shapes our everyday realities. Then we will move to a deeper level of analysis--investigating the rich ways in which metaphorical images and "seeing life as a poet" can enrich and enhance our relationship to ourselves, other people and the world around us. The word metaphor meant "a transformer" in ancient Greek. When we view life through the lens of metaphor, we are able to see possibilities and potentials that we would not normally see. Through the use of metaphor, our perception operates at a deeper level of understanding. In this vein, a variety of perspectives will be presented which elucidate the aesthetic realm in everyday life.
Fall 2012
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Awakening Wisdom: Transformative Teaching, Training, Coaching and Mentoring
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California
In this experiential workshop, we will explore the concepts “third space” and the “imaginal world” in the teaching, training, facilitating, coaching, and mentoring relationship. Third space and the imaginal world are places of expanded knowing and intuitive wisdom; they are the great unknown of inspiration and possibility. We could define the imaginal as a realm that is just beyond our ordinary, everyday rational intellectual capacities. When groups of any size come together in meaningful ways for a shared purpose, there is a larger wisdom available to draw upon, a wisdom that lies within the center of the group itself. Themes will include:
• structure and structurelessness
• using creative expression as a way toward expanded group knowing
• working with other people as a creative process of embracing the unknown
• teaching from a place of higher vision and intuitive knowing
• embracing group resistance and conflict
Each participant will connect with and develop his or her own voice, personal vision, and unique leadership style. This workshop is recommended for all in the teaching and helping professions, and it will also be useful for those who are preparing to teach, coach, mentor, or facilitate for the first time. It may be particularly helpful for those who sometimes experience resistant or “difficult” audiences or clients, as well as for those who simply wish to lead groups with more skill, heart, and integrity. Recommended reading: Getting Messy: A Guide to Taking Risks and Opening the Imagination.
Call Esalen for more info (831) 667-3000.
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Psychology of Creativity
In this experiential course we explore the many aspects and dimensions of creative process in everyday life—at the individual level, at the group level, and in the broader culture. While the arts lie on the margins of most people’s lives, creative process is central to who are as humans. Learning, growth and transformation are creative processes, and it is the act of seeing connections that forms the heart of creative consciousness. Topics include metaphor, the power of image, symbolic thinking, aesthetic consciousness, the psychological components of creativity and non-linear ways of thinking and knowing.
Fall 2012
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Metaphor in Everyday Life
Book Passage, Corte Madera, California
In the case of every historic scientific discovery and invention that is researched carefully enough, we find that it was imagery, either in dreams or in a waking state, which produced the breakthrough. --John Curtis Gowan
Every aspect of our daily experience is influenced by metaphor. While writers may try to use metaphor to enrich their writing, the truth is that we are always writing (and looking) through a metaphoric lens. In this experiential workshop we explore metaphor as a potent force that shapes how we see the world.
Humans have four ways of knowing: thinking, feeling, physical sensing, and imagination, but we tend to favor only one of these modes—thinking. Of these four modes of knowing, imagination (or image-ing) is arguably the most powerful and least understood. We will focus on the role of image and metaphor on the creative process, as well as its role in shaping the “lenses” that we use to view the world around us.
Call Book Passage for next course (415) 927-0960
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Comments
I wanted to express how much I appreciate what I learned from you. You're a terrific teacher! I've been thinking about negative space all week, and it's revolutionized how I think about the novel I'm writing. My lawyer's mind wants to spell it out, but my wiser side is now defining things through what isn't said.
Thank you for the gifts.
--Ellen Thompson, writer (Book Passage workshop)
I came out of this class with a real appreciation for the power of an image to convey deep meaning and bring up hidden, buried issues in people. Very useful in spiritual care."
--Dorothy Langon, chaplain (workshop at The Chaplaincy Institute)
